Inside Lacrosse Specialist Positional Rankings: April 28

The updated specialist rankings show a few interesting trends this season.

First, for three of the five longstick middies listed here, we know what their impact means to their team — a significant swing between the likelihood that they'll perform well or poorly. Second, the top teams are using multiple guys to take face-offs, with few of them taking enough for a large enough sample size to compare against the single FOGOs that lower tier teams are running out.

In case you missed last week's positional rankings (where we stick to the traditional attack, defense, midfield, goalie), check it out here.

LSMs

1. Joel White, Jr, Syracuse (63 GB in 12 games)

In the same way that the top five teams are separating themselves for NCAA Tournament berths, so is Joel White in the argument of top LSMs. He's hounding opponents every week and is always dangerous with the ball. He's also taken on a clear leadership role in the Orange defense.

2. Brian Farrell, Sr, Maryland (40 GB, 21 CT in 12 games)

Not one of Maryland's four All-ACC selections (there were no midfielders selected), Farrell has been instrumental to the Terps' success in sparking their unsettled offense with four goals and five assists, nearly all in transition. He's had a better year defensively, as well.

3. Steve Waldeck, Sr, Stony Brook (76 GB, 24 CT in 12 games)

As the Seawolves mow teams down, climb the rankings and move toward an NCAA Tournament appearance, Waldeck's stock has continued to rise. He's also got eight goals and three assists to go with his stout defensive numbers.

4. Dillon Roy, Sr, Denver (67 GB, 29 CT in 14 games)

Roy has been invaluable for the Pioneers as they've righted their season over the last month, bumping up from close defense to take away the top middie on opposing teams, run between the boxes and even face off at a 54% clip.

5. John Cunningham, Soph, Princeton (41 GB, 10 CT in 12 games)

One of the understated benefits of Chad Wiedmaier's return to Princeton's close defense was Cunningham's return to the defensive midfield, where he could matchup with opponents' top midfielder, whom Princeton has limited to just 10 points in the last six games.

FOGOs

1. Andrew Hennessey, Sr, Bryant (66.1%, 26 GB in 9 games)

Still hampered by a foot injury five games after his return Hennessey picks his spots and lets his wings do more of the work in picking up his wins than before his injury. And though his number's are a bit down, Bryant's season is up as the Bulldogs just scored their first win over a ranked DI opponent last weekend.

2. Stephen Robarge, Soph, VMI (63.6%, 109 GB in 13 games)

Say what you will about MAAC competition, but Robarge has simply been dominant since entering league play. He leads DI face-off win percentage (excluding reclassifying programs and players who haven't taken enough draws) and is second in groundballs per game. Against St. Joe's he scored once and assisted on two goals finished within 10 seconds on the previous draw.

3. Adam Rand, Jr, Stony Brook (62.2%, 65 GB in 12 games)

Continually consistent at the X, Rand is an interesting study in how much dominating possession affects a team that wants to score as many goals, and have as many possessions, as Stony Brook.

4. John Schiavone, Sr, Loyola (60.5%, 65 GB in 11 games)

Schiavone's motivation to win is essentially the opposite of Rand's, as Loyola typically wants to slow the pace and control the ball. Still, Schiavone has been excellent in recent weeks for the Greyhounds, and he's picked up exactly 50% of his face-off wins.

5. Zach Pall, Soph, Quinnipiac (60.7%, 68 GB in 10 games)

Pall's continually good performance is a huge boost for the Bobcats as they look to finish out 2010 and look ahead to the inception of the NEC in 2011.